Metallic ceiling



('No Modl.) 4-SheetsSheet 1.

W. R. KINNEA-R.,

METALLIC GEILING;

No. 446,121. Patented Feb. 10,1891.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet} 2.

W. R. KINNEAR.

METALLIC CEILING. I

INVENTOR I 4462; W. Add

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet s.

W. R KINNEAR.

METALLIC CEILING.

' 4 ShetsSheet 4. W. R. KINNEAR. METALLIG CEILING.

fNoModel.)

No. 446,121. Patented Feb. 10,1891.

a part.

NITE STATES IVILLIAM R. KINNEAR, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

METALLIC CEILING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 446,121, dated February 10, 1891.

' Application filed March 28,1890. Serial No. 345,786. No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAH R. KINNEAR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Metallic Oeilin gs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, form ing a part of this specificatiomand to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in metallic ceilings; and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the parts hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the ceiling, showing three different shapes of panels. Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 1 1. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 2 2. Fig. 4: is a section taken on theline 3 3. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 4 4. Fig. 6 is a detail view in plan of the panel A. Fig. 7 is a detail viewin plan of the panelA Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are detail views in perspective of the different forms of stiles used in this invention. Fig. 12 is a section through the stile and stiling to show a modified form of connecting them. Fig. 13 is a detail View in plan of the miters used in this invention. Fig. 1 1 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of the same. Fig. 15 is a detail view in plan of a compounded miter to form all the corners about the junction in one piece. Figs. 16 and 17 are detail views in section of the miters to showtwo forms of attaching the rosettes. Figs. 18 and 19 are detail views in perspective of the head-blocks for stile-facings.

In ceilings of this class the general design or configuration is imparted thereto by the stiles which divide the same into panels. Heretofore these stiles have been formed by lapping the raised margins of adjoining panels or plates. These margins were made integral with the panels or plates, and were in consequence confined to the size and shape of the panels or plates of which they formed For reasons of manufacture the variance in size and shape of these panels is slight, and the ceiling has in consequence been subject to the objection that the designs were profuse and composed of too many small members; also, by reason of the slight variance in shape, the designs have been confined to a small number of variations, which raises the objection of monotony in these ceilings. In my present invention I obviate these objections by the use of the parts hereinafter described.

These ceilings, considered as a whole,comprise several members, to wit: panels, by which is meant all that surface having the same general level, whether marked out by moldings or not, and which is encompassed by stiles; moldings; stiling, meaning thereby the connecting-surface between the panels and the cornice of the structure, or between the stiles of a panel and the sunken or raised central portion of the same; stiles, designating thereby the raised members for dividing the ceiling into panels, the smaller members shown in the drawings dividing the separate panel-plates into squares, and also adapting the margins to lap upon each other,

being in this specification, for convenience, termed panel-moldings, and rosettes, being raised boss-like projections for decoration.

The plates shown in the drawings as forming the centers of the panels are of three kinds, designated A, A and A For decorative purposes, and also to stiffen the construction, these plates may be provided with panel-moldin gs a of any desired shape, though I prefer that shown in the drawings, which has flat marginal extensions that are easily lapped in combining the plates, and form no distinctive feature at those places where the plates are so lapped to direct the eye to any possible fault of construction which might occur. At the junction of these panel-moldings I provide a small raised button or r0- sette, through which I drive the fastenings for the plates. Then the distances between these junctions are larger than desirable, I

provide a button or rosette midway between the junctions. By driving the fastenings for the plates through them in the centers of these buttons the exposed parts enter into and are lost in the design, as shown at Figs. 1, 6, and 7.

The triangular plates A and A are formed to special sizes to suit the designs of the ceilings, and are provided on their sides with the panel-moldings a, as are the plates A.

The stiles 13, shown in the drawings, are in this present invention formed by me through different combinations of the three parts B, B and B as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, and 11. These parts I term the stile-moldings B and B and stile-facing B The stilemoldings B B are providedwith the margins 1) which may be decorated, as desired. WVhen desirable, I form the stile by lapping the margins b and 1) without the stile-facing B This finish I use most generally when the ceiling is low, as the construction has the appearance of ease and lightness; but when the ceiling is high, and heaviness and richness of design are desired, the stile-facings B are interposed between the stile-moldings,- the margins of the latter lapping over the edges of the facing, as shown at Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11. The decorative features generally in ceilings of this class are the stiles, and by the use of these stile-facings the form, relief, and decoration of the stiles may be varied indefinitely. The illustrations I have shown at Figs. 9, 10, and 11 show some of the variations which can be made in these facings, the first being flat and depending for embellishment upon surface decoration, such as may be imparted by stamping in low relief or by paintingin design. The second is formed in high relief with moldings on its sides more or less elaborate to suit the taste of the decorator, and the third is sunken to form a cove. The change in the appearance of these ceilings may be made total by the use of stilefacings which are different. When the fac ings are formed in relief, either cameo or intaglio, they are provided with the margins or flanges b to extend under the margins b and b of the stile-moldings.

Extending between the stile-moldings I) and B and the plates A, A and A in each panel is the stiling O. This stiling may be formed as side extensions of the stile-moldings, as shown at Figs. 1 and 3, or consist of a separate piece, as shown at Fig. 12. This stiling may be provided, as shown in the drawings, with a raised molding or other decorative design. By means of this stiling I am enabled to form panels varying in shape and size to accommodate different structures while using standard sizes of plates for filling the panels. These variations may be made rapidlyand without necessitating any radical changeof form in the stiling itself, consisting in a simple cutting of one of its edges to diminish its width.

tion, I insert the miters D, which are formed 1 to the desired angles. These miters may be compounded, so as to form all the corners aboutthe junction from one piece, as shown at Fig. 15; but as the lines of juncture vary The stiling is so constructed as to extend under the edges of the adjain nearly every design I prefer to form only one corner by each miter and to nest them to form the entire junction. The miters are shaped to con form to the stile-moldings B and B and have the like margins 19' and b which are lappedand secured in the same way as described above. These miters I have shown in the drawings as combined with the stiling 0. While this arrangement of the parts is not essential, it is considered by me the most convenient and workmanlike manner of forming the corners of the panel, as by it I avoid mitering the stiling pieces at those points by strengthening and maintaining the angles. This joining of the pieces would be especially difficult of accomplishment where the angle of a corner is acute.

When desired, the miters D are provided with the rosettes E. These rosettes I attach in many ways, of which I have shown two at Figs. 16 and 17. In the former the rosette is provided with the base-flanges e to extend under the margins Z) and b of the miters, which margins are cut away at the corners to allow the said rosettes to protrude, and in the latter the rosette is attached directly to one of the miters either by stamping it up from the same or by the usual means of soldering or riveting.

At the junction of the larger stiles in which the stile-facings B are used I insert the headblock F, which may only continue the molding-lines unbroken around the corners, as

shown at Fig. 18, or may form a distinct decorative feature, as a drop or rosette, as shown at Fig. 19. These head-blocks are made up in one piece and may be varied indefinitely in design.

The stile-moldings, stile-facings, and stiling are all composed of short lengths for convenience of manufacture, handling, and shipment. To join these lengths without exposing the raw edges, and at the same time to form an inconspicuous joint, I form on the one end of each length the groove G by folding the metal back upon itself, as shown in the drawings, Figs. t and 5, and the material at the other end of the lengthsI depress the desired depth to form the flange G and allow it to pass freely into the grooves G when the lengths arejoined. The shoulders g and 9 formed by turning the metal to form the groove and depressing the metal to form the flange, come close together when the lengths are joined and expose to view only a fine line, which when the ceiling is being painted becomes filled with the paint and is entirely obliterated, leavingin appearancea continuous and smooth surface.

The miters D are provided with thegroove G and flange G, in order to be fitted into the stile-moldings without showing the junctions.

To apply this ceiling to a structure, the forming-strips 0c and so are secured directly to thefloor-joistsabove, as shown in Figs. 2, 9, and 11. The design is laid out by means of the larger strips 0c,dividing the ceiling into panels, as desired, and adjusting them to meet any such variance in the structure as mentioned above. The panels thus formed are then blocked out by using the forming-strips m, which are smaller to accommodate the relief of the panel-moldings a a a which rest upon them. These forming-strips serve the purpose of forming pockets, into which the body of the plates A A A enter, with their overlapping margins resting on the said strips. \Vhen the forming-strips are secured in position,the stiles are first formed on their respective strips. If the stile-facings are used,

. they are adjusted on the strips, as shown at Figs. 2, 8, 9, 10, and 11 with their margins or flanges b resting on the strips, through which they are tacked to secure them in position until the stile-moldings are adjusted. The stilemoldings are then adjusted with the margins b and b overlapping the margins Zr of the stile-facin In this position fastenings are driven through the lapped margins of the stile-moldings and stile-facings. These fastenings are round-headed. nails more or less decorative in order to harmonize with the design of the ceiling. IVhen, as shown in the drawings, the stiling O and stile-moldings are formed integrally, the edge of the stiling extends over and rests upon the outer formingstrips :1." in the center of the panels, the edges being cut so as to adjust the stiling to the proper size, as above mentioned. IVhen the stiles have been thus formed, the plates A A A are placed in position with the margins a' on the outside, resting over the edge of the stiling O and the margins of the preceding plates in the order of adjustment. These plates are secured in position by means of fastenings driven through the lapped margins at the small decorations provided for that purpose, as described above. As the stiles are being formed the miters D and headblocks F are put in place by joining the former to the stile-molding strips as the same are joined in the progress of the work-i. 8., by means of the groove G and flange G. By forming the plates A A A thus in low relief so as to produce the effect in the use of the panel-moldings of surface decoration, and combining them to form any aggregate shapes of surface, and then inclosing this surface by independent stiles, I am enabled to form an indefinite number of ceiling designs, and by the use of the stile-facings and stiling adapt the same to an enlarged or diminished size; also, by the use of the stile-facings varying in form and style of finish and decoration I am enabled to vary the appearance of stiles of the same magnitude, and thus produce a highly decorative effect and rel ieve the design of all monotony to which they are now subject, and by the use of different sizes of the said facings and by their omission the weight and richness of the design may be poised where the designer wishes.

What I claim is 1. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of stiles for dividing the ceiling into panels, centers for the panels, composed of separate plates of standard sizes the edges of which are connected, and variable stiling interposed between the said stiles and center for varying the dimensions of the panels, substantially as described.

2. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of stiles for dividing the ceiling into panels, centers for the panels, composed of separate plates provided with side margins adapted to lap and form panel-moldings and suitable fastenings driven through the lapped margins, and variable stiling-interposed between the said stiles and centers, substantially as described.

3. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of stiles for dividing the ceiling into panels, centers for the panels, composed of separate plates of different shapes adapted to be combined to form regular aggregate designs and provided with side margins adapted to lap and form panel-moldings to receive fastenings, and variable stiling interposed between the stiles and center for varying the dimensions of the panels, substantially as described.

at. In a metallic ceiling such as described. the combination of stiles for dividing the ceiling into panels, and centers attached to the said stiles for filling in the panels thus formed, consisting of two or more separate plates of different shapes adapted to be combined to form regular aggregate designs and provided with side margins adapted to lap those of the adjoining plates to form panelmoldings, and suitable fastenings for securing the said plates in position, substantially as described.

5. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of stiles for dividing the ceiling into panels, and centers attached to the said stiles for tillingin the panels thus formed, consisting of two series of plates,-the one series being quadrilateral and the other triangular, adapted to be arranged to form regular aggregate designs and provided with side margins adapted to lap those of the adjoining plates to form panel-moldings, and suitable fastenings for securing the said plates in position, substantially as described.

(5. In a metallic ceiling such as described, and in the stiles for dividing the same into panels, the combination of independent stilemoldings to form the opposite sides of the stiles and having side margins entering into the construction of the faceof the stile, and suitable fastenings for securing them in posi tion, substantially as described.

7. In a metallic ceiling such as described, and in the stiles for dividing the same into panels, the combination of independent stilemoldings to form the opposite sides of the stile and having side margins, stile-facings interposed between the said margins and lapped with the same, and fastenings for securing the lapped portions, substantially as described.

8. In a metallic ceiling such as described, and in the stiles for dividing the same into panels, the combination of independent stilemoldings to form the opposite sides of the stiles and having side margins, stile-facings interposed between the said margins and provided with side extensions to receive the said margins of the stile-moldings and adapted to be diminished to make the stiles narrower, as desired, and fastenings for securing the lapped margins together, substantially as de scribed.

9. In a metallic ceiling such as described,

and in the stiles fordividing the same into panels, the combination of independent stilemoldings to form the opposite sides of the stile and having side margins, stile-facings of a general level interposed between the said margins and the edges of which are lapped with the said margins of the siile-moldings, and fastenings for securing the said margins and stile-facings together, substantially as described. v 10. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the stiles for dividing the same into panels, and an independent miter shaped to form a single corner of the junction of the stiles, substantially as describ d.

11. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the stiles for dividing the same into panels, independent miters for each corner of the junction, each being provided with side margins to lap those of the adjoining mi'ters, and fastenings for securing the said margins together, substantially as described.

12. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the stiles for dividing the same into panels, an independent miter shaped to form a single corner of the junc tion of the stiles, and a rosette attached to the miter at the center of the junctions, substantially as described.

13. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the quadrilateral plates A and the triangular plates A both being provided with side margins adapted to overlap and form raised moldings a, with suitable fastenings passing through the lapped margins for securing the plates in position, substantially as described.-

14. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the plates A and A to form aggregate designs, and provided with side margins adapted to overlap and form panel-moldings a, with stiling extending between the said aggregate designs and lapped with the outer margins of outer plates, and suitable fastenings for securing all the parts in contact together, substantially as described.

15. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the plates A and A to form aggregate designs and provided with side margins adapted to overlap and form panel-moldings a, and stiles connected to and surrounding the said designs to emphasize the same, substantially as described.

16. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the plates A and A to form aggregatev designs, and provided with side margins adapted to overlap and form panel-moldings a, and stiles B, connected to and surrounding the said designs, consisting of the stile-moldings B and 13 provided with lapped side margins b b entering into the construction of the face of the stile, with suitable fastenings for securing the same together, substantially as described.

17. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the plates A and A to form aggregate designs, and provided with side margins adapted to overlap and form panel-moldings a,,and stilesB, connected to and surrounding the said designs, consisting of the stile-moldings B and B provided with side margins b and b and stile-facings B interposed between the stile-moldings and lapped with the said margins, substantially as described.

18. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the plates A and A to form aggregate designs, and provided with side margins adapted to overlap and form panel-moldings a, stiles B, surrounding the said designs, and variable stiling C interposed between the said stiles and design, for varying the dimensions of the panels, substantially as described.

19. In a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the plates A and A to form aggregate designs, and provided with side margins adapted to overlap and form panel-moldings Ct, stiles B, surrounding the said designs, consisting of the stile-moldings B and 13 provided with the lapped side margins b and b entering into the construction of the face of the stile, with suitable fastenings for securing the same together, and variable stiling O interposed between the said stiles and designs, for varying the dimensions of the panels, substantially as described.

20. In. a metallic ceiling such as described, the combination of the plates A and A to form aggregate designs, and provided with side margins adapted to overlap and form panel-moldings a, stiles l3, surrounding the said designs, consisting of the stile-moldings l3 and B provided with side margins b and Z2 and stile-facings B interposed between the stile-moldings and lapped with the said margins, and variable stiling interposed between the said stiles and designs, for varying the dimensions of the panels,siibstantially as described. I

\VILLIAM R. KINNEAR.

Witnesses:

W. O. GAYER, L. A. DOREMUS. 

